On her way to Neural Nexus Tech, Charlene received a call from her grandmother, Irma Henderson. Charlene picked up, “Hey, Grandma.”

“Hello, dear,” Irma’s voice was warm and comforting. “I heard from Minnie the other day that you’ve been working late and even pulling all-nighters. I got some health supplements delivered recently, and I’ve sent some your way. Make sure you have someone cook them up for you, okay?” Charlene knew that even if she tried to decline, Irma wouldn’t take no for an answer. So she replied, “I will, thank you, Grandma.”

Irma chuckled softly and seemed to remember something. “Oh, by the way, I had a chat with Thorne recently. He promised to get along better with you. After all, you are both Minnie’s parents, and for her well-being, it’s important that you maintain a good relationship.” So, that’s why Thorne was unusually considerate during the last meeting? Charlene thought.

“Got it,” Charlene replied calmly.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Charlene ended the call with Irma.

Upon arriving at Neural Nexus Tech, Charlene noticed that Vesta was absent.

Quincy spotted her and grinned, “Hey, it’s Valentine’s Day. Did you get any flowers, Ms. Ross?”

Before Charlene could answer, a PrimeStar employee who had come along with her to Neural Nexus Tech chimed in with a laugh, “Oh, she did! A huge bouquet of roses. We were all so jealous!”

Quincy smiled but didn’t get a chance to respond before Leah Spencer appeared out of nowhere. “Just flowers? Nothing else?”

The PrimeStar employee hesitated, “Well…uh…”

“So it’s just flowers, huh?” Leah scoffed. “You guys are hilarious. It’s just a bunch of roses. What’s there to be envious about? My cousin got a whole lot more this morning. Her fiancé even gifted her shares from Neural Nexus Tech. What did she say to that?” Quincy was momentarily speechless. Well, that was hard to argue with.

But did it really need to be a competition?

Noticing Charlene might be out of the loop, Quincy leaned over and whispered to her, “Word is, Director Hawkins is quite the catch among the elite circles-many rich heirs dream of her. Although with our Mr. Henderson as her boyfriend, most don’t dare make a move. But today being Valentine’s Day, some couldn’t resist and anonymously sent her flowers and gifts. Her office was nearly overflowing.”

Before Charlene could say anything, Quincy continued, “But Mr. Henderson didn’t become her beau for nothing. I heard he gave Director Hawkins a portion of our company’s shares as a gift!”

“Treating a girlfriend like that, it’s something none of us have seen before. When the news broke this morning, everyone in the company was green with envy!”

Charlene thought back to how casually Vesta had access to company secrets, and how Jacques and Leah could come and go from Neural Nexus Tech as they pleased. If one day Neural Nexus Tech changed its name to The Hawkins Group, she wouldn’t be surprised. Hearing Quincy’s gossip, Charlene was hardly shocked. Thorne gifting Vesta shares on Valentine’s Day showed he wasn’t just generous but also wanted the gesture to be meaningful and memorable. It was clear he truly

cared for Vesta.

“What are you all chatting about?” Vesta’s voice suddenly entered the conversation.

Quincy quickly smiled and said, “Director Hawkins, finished with the meeting?”

Vesta nodded, “Yes.”

Today, Neural Nexus Tech’s top brass was holding an important meeting.